Things You'll Need:
- Informational only
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Step 1
Most people have tried to mask their homes for painting, and several things usually happen. I will explain the most popular types of masking tape and the pro's and con's to each.
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Step 2
There are several types of masking tape made by various companies. 3M, Scotch, Duct, Duck, SureTape, and a few others are the most readily available to the homeowner and professional.
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Step 3
White Tape: Used for any surface but it is necessary to remove it immediately after the project is finished. Generally cheaper than the other types and sticks to most all surfaces. Wood, glass, tile, plastic, smooth clean stone, and fabric.
If left on too long you run the risk of pulling off any paint it may be stuck to, and or leaving glue residue.
You will want to remove the white masking tape as soon as your project is complete. Do not let it stay on the substrate too long. It will dry up and leave glue residues and then you will have a difficult time cleaning it. -
Step 4
Blue, 15 day safe release: Mostly used for smooth finished surfaces, some smooth tile, plastic, metal, and glass. It will not stick to any fabric, and definitely not any concrete or stone. There are two popular types of blue masking tape. The first we will discuss is 15 day safe release. The label says that you can leave it on the substrate for up to 15 days for clean release. Well, that all depends on a few conditions, what it is stuck too, temperature, and what type of paint or stain is on it.
Blue tape will not stick to itself at all. You will join two corners together and it will appear to have stuck to itself but sometimes within minutes it will curl off of itself and if you are spraying using an airless paint sprayer you will blow your masking job all apart. You will need to join the overlaps with white tape to prevent that from happening.
This particular type of tape will not have tendency to leave residues or pull existing finishes off if left too long. -
Step 5
Blue, 60 day safe release: Typically used for glass or smooth painted surfaces only. This other blue tape will not stay on the surface very long, it will curl up if the temperature fluctuates too much or if there is excessive of humidity. This tape will not stick to itself either, you will have to join the overlaps and corners with white tape.
It will not pull existing finishes off or leave residues. I recommend this tape only to the professional that knows exactly what they are up against, and it is probably the most expensive tape we use regularly. -
Step 6
Duct Tape, all types: Sticks to any surface, but not recommended for painted surfaces, it sticks so well you risk pulling the finish off of the substrate when you go to remove it. If left on too long it will leave glue residue and be problematic. Most popularly it is used for stone, cement, tile, and rough unfinished wood.
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Step 7
Green lacquer masking tape: Typically this is used for high solvent finishes such as lacquer and epoxies. Do not leave it on for more than 3 days. It WILL DEFINITELY LEAVE GLUE RESIDUE on the surface it is stuck to and you run the risk of pulling off and fragile existing finishes.
Green tape will stick to most anything except for rougher stone and cement.
